Contract Furniture: Market Trends

Posted:
12/03/2013 9:01AM

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Major Players

STEELCASE

HMI INTERNATIONAL

HERMAN MILLER

KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL

KNOLL INC.

REBOUNDING MARKET

BUSINESSAfter a basically flat 2012, both the production and consumption of U.S. office furniture grew in 2013, with early forecasts of $9.6 billion for production, an increase of 4.1%, and $11.9 billion for consumption, a gain of 5.4%. Likewise, the outlook for 2014 is also positive, with projections showing an increase of 6.1% for production to $10.2 billion, and a growth of 7.7% to $12.8 billion for consumption.

Although China has increased its market share into the U.S., to about 40%, Canada remains the chief trading partner of the U.S. for office furniture, with about 40% of the imports and 50% of the exports.

QUICK STATS:

• 2014 production is projected at $10.2 billion, up 6.1%.• Consumption will grow 7.7% to $12.8 billion in 2014.• The U.S. industry's chief trading partner is Canada.

Research shows approximately 110,000 people work in the sector’s 3,809 manufacturing businesses. Sustainable/green manufacturing is a driving force.DESIGN Workspace flexibility continues to be the overriding design trend, with movable walls and furniture that enable networking. Technology needs, such as power and data hubs, also continue to impact design, not only on desks and tables, but in the way we conduct business — in person and virtually.